6 Incredible Jeep Events to Put on Your Calendar
Shopping at your local Jeep dealership in Miami is just the first step in a long and beautiful relationship with your Jeep. Whether you buy a Wrangler, a Cherokee or some other model, you are entering into the larger Jeep family, where fellow owners will even wave to you as they pass in the street.
The Jeep family is an enthusiastic bunch, and their love for the brand goes far beyond driving to and from the office every day. Fans from all over gather at huge events to show off their Jeeps, check out the modifications that others have made to their Jeeps, and to put their vehicles to their limits on off-road trails and specially designed tracks. Jeep fans also get the special privilege of previewing new models and future concepts.
Here are a few of the most popular Jeep events that you should try to attend if you can:
Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival
The company that produced the first Jeep hosts this annual festival in Butler, Pennsylvania. The American Bantam Car Company built the Bantam Reconnaissance Car in 1940, and that became known as the first Jeep. This year, a man recreated that original Jeep (of which there are no remaining models) and will drive it in the parade, which will be the 75th anniversary of the Jeep's production.
Every year, the three-day Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival includes Jeep competitions, how-to clinics, and fascinating presentations about the history of Jeep models. Of course, it wouldn't be a Jeep celebration without some interesting trails. Jeep owners can put their wheels to the test on some fun off-road courses.
Easter Jeep Safari
The annual Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah is one of the biggest events of the year for Jeep enthusiasts. Fans from all over the world come for this nine-day event, where Jeep previews its new concepts every year. The automaker often reveals details about some new models here before anywhere else.
Moab is the perfect meeting place for a Jeep gathering as it includes some rugged and challenging terrain. Jeep owners can try their skill on a wide variety of trails, some which are hundreds of miles long. However, you have to register ahead of time for the trails you want to drive. You won't be able to jump onto a trail when you arrive.
The Easter Jeep Safari is such a big and popular event that it is often referred to as the Mecca of four-wheeling.
Jeep Jamboree
The Jeep Jamboree is another of the most popular Jeep events. Fortunately, Jeep Jamborees are held many times a year at locations throughout the United States, giving fans more opportunities to attend. The jamborees are weekend-long events that focus on adventure trails of varying difficulties.
Jeep Jamborees have been held since 1953. Past jamborees have been held in places like the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the Rubicon Trail and the Darien Gap.
Just like with the Easter Jeep Safari, you'll have to register ahead of time for the Jamboree. You will also need to bring your own Jeep and your own provisions for the trip.
Rocks and Road Tour
The Jeep Rocks and Road Tour isn't just a challenging course for Jeep fans to test the limits of their vehicles -- it's also a testing location for Jeep itself. The 16-city course includes mud pits, paths of tree logs, huge rocks, and much more. This is a truly extreme course that helps fans (and Jeep designers) really know what their vehicles are capable of doing.
The Rocks and Road Tour includes other activities, such as a Jeep owner's playground, where people can show off their own vehicles and admire those of other owners. A climbing wall is offered for those who want to test their own physical limits, and a kids' obstacle course is also available. Video kiosks also give owners the chance to film their own "confessionals" about their experiences after driving the course.
New Jersey Jeep Invasion
The New Jersey Jeep Association hosts this weekend event each year. This year, the New Jersey Jeep Invasion will be held in Wildwood, NJ on Father's Day weekend. The event includes a beach obstacle course that goes through the sand and the water, as well as a beach-themed Jeep parade to close the festivities.
The New Jersey Jeep Invasion begins with a free concert, and it includes plenty of vendors and other entertainment. Jeep owners are also encouraged to decorate their Jeeps for the event, and a prize is awarded for the best "costume."
Willys at Whitewater Ranch
Willy at Whitewater Ranch is in its fifth year in Eugene, Oregon. The weekend event gives Jeep owners a chance to meet one another, talk shop, and have some fun with their Jeeps. Festivities include a welcome barbecue, drives through the forest land, dinner along the river, and camping under the stars.
Willys at Whitewater Ranch is a smaller and more casual event than some of the other Jeep gatherings. The smaller size gives Jeep owners the chance to meet more people and to really get to know one another. They won't get lost in the crowds or feel overwhelmed by all the activity.
Many Jeep events are held around the country each year, giving you the opportunity to learn more about the vehicle you love and to connect with others who love it as much as you do. You can have fun while talking as much as you want about your Jeep to others who want to do the same thing.
Most Jeep events also give you the chance to push your Jeep to the limits, putting you in conditions that you might not encounter otherwise. Going to one of these events is like entering a Jeep paradise.
Don't yet have a Jeep? Now is the time to visit a Jeep dealership in Miami and find your next dream vehicle. Miami Lakes Automall sells a wide range of Jeeps at affordable prices. Visit us today to take a test drive.